Today's Random Thoughts

With the tv playing in my ears behind me, ( Gerry is in the house now for the evening), I think I may have to update about things with us in little bullet points LOL.. sometimes I just can't concentrate with that outside noise.. This coming from someone that sleeps with a sound machine.

-Decided to get a booster shot. We have been yes, no, yes, no.. but have one set for June 10

- Been busy packing for our move mid- June and now mom wants to move so that's really making our heads spin. We sold our place. Possession date is June 24. We haven't found a new place though. We are hoping something will still come up but we at least have our RV that we can stay in in the meantime and we can store our stuff at our daughter's. I have to count on Gerry alot to do alot of the packing too with my limited mobility with my back also.

-Spent a week in the city for medical/ specialist appts- Gerry and I.  The 6-7 hour drive in the RV was a nightmare for most of the part. Our northern road is so rough and full of pot holes that it really hurts my back. We are trying to look at changing some of the seating in the RV.. and hopefully not much longer to have to drive on that road. Gerry is waiting on his results for his nuclear heart scan... and I was to see the vein doctor, and the dermatologist . I found out through my CT scan a while ago that my back had bulging discs and lumbar stenosis. Today I went for a X- ray on my SI Joint as well. I find I have to do daily exercises and walk to feel half way normal, and am on Gabapentin at night now so shooting nerve pain in my back I have been getting for about a year. So it's that, stretches, and just over the counter drugs too to get me through the day most times.

-I was inquiring about bio-identical hormones if anyone has heard about these.. well wow- its $2500, trips to the city for various appts.. and a ton of bloodwork. The lady that called me today said they take 17-21 vials of blood! Boy talk about donating blood! I can see why female celebrities are promoting it.. but it was more all those vials of blood they take that scared me more than the money side of it -LOL. I would love to hear from anyone who has had this done or knows of someone that has. 

Introducing Linkimals! Learning Possibilities Your Little Ones Can Link Up To

Straight from the Fisher-Price® Play Lab, we are excited to introduce you to your baby’s new crew of talking, singing, light-up friends! Fisher-Price® Linkimals® toys, introduce babies and toddler boys and girls to educational concepts like shapes, counting, colours, and first words with fun lights, music, and sing-along songs. For infants and toddlers 9 months and older, when Linkimals™ meet up with other friends, they light-up, talk, sing and play together! These interactive and educational toys got the Play Lab stamp of approval from tiny toy testers and are sure to get little ones’ and parents’ approval too!

 Linkimals™ Happy Shapes Hedgehog™

• The Linkimals™ Happy Shapes Hedgehog™ is packed with exciting play that grows along with your baby! Younger babies can spin, turn, toggle, and bat the activities on their buddy's back, or press the light-up buttons to hear songs and phrases about colours, shapes, and numbers. Then older babies can push or pull the hedgehog along for more fun music and sounds. 

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Linkimals™ Play Together Panda

• The Linkimals™ Play Together Panda from Fisher-Price® is a soft, take-along learning friend for babies with exciting lights, songs, and phrases that introduce shapes, counting, greetings and manners. Pressing the panda’s belly to get the lights and music playing helps introduce baby to the fun of cause and effect. And, it makes him giggle. Pandas are ticklish!

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Linkimals™ Counting Koala

• Climbing up a palm tree with their koala friend, baby makes a startling discovery: this tree grows squares, triangles and circles. The Linkimals™ Counting Koala from Fisher-Price is a musical learning friend for babies with exciting lights, songs, and phrases that introduce numbers, counting and shapes. Hands-on play, including a bat-at roller ball, shape spinner, and push buttons help strengthen your baby’s fine motor skills, while the exciting interactive content helps introduce cause and effect.

Linkimals™ Sit-to-Crawl Sea Turtle

• Baby can dive into exciting crawl-and-chase play with the Linkimals™ Sit-to-Crawl Sea Turtle from Fisher-Price®. This musical activity toy features two ways to play as babies grow from sitting up to crawling, plus fun music and phrases that teach the alphabet, counting and shapes.

Linkimals™ Smooth Moves Sloth™

• The Linkimals™ Smooth Moves Sloth™ gets your baby moving and learning with exciting lights, music, songs, and groovy dance moves. Press the buttons on the sloth's feet to hear all about numbers, colors and more, as the sloth claps its hands and bobs its head. 

Linkimals™ Cool Beats Penguin™

• The Fisher-Price® Linkimals™ Cool Beats Penguin™ musical toy is a super chill dance partner for baby with fresh tunes, multi-color lights, and jammin’ moves. When kids press the buttons, the penguin flaps its flippers and bobs side to side while music and phrases introduce the alphabet, opposites, and more.

5 Tax Tips for Small Businesses from Tax Relief Companies

 

When it comes to tax season, small business owners have a lot to worry about. Figuring out how to file taxes can be confusing and making sure you're taking all the deductions you're eligible for can be tricky. That's where Tax Relief Companies come in. They offer tax preparation and filing services, as well as advice on how to get the most tax relief possible.

If you're a small business owner, here are some tax tips to keep in mind when dealing with relief companies:

Research

Research different tax relief companies before choosing one. Different tax relief providers offer different services, so it's important to do your research and find one that offers exactly what you need.

Your choice may be determined by the amount of advice you require. This could be because of the size and complexity of your business. Tax relief companies are knowledgeable about different kinds of businesses and how taxes can be reduced as well as how payments can be made affordable for them.

File Taxes on Time

Make sure you're filing your taxes on time. One of the worst things you can do is procrastinate when it comes to your taxes. If you're behind on your tax filings, tax relief companies may be able to help, but it's always best to file on time if possible.

You want to avoid penalties for late submission of tax returns as this will only add to a business’s tax bill, when saving money is what effectively managing taxes is all about. You also do not want to prompt a tax investigation, as this could prove costly and time-consuming, even if you have insured against it.

Proactive Tax Planning

Be proactive about tax planning. One of the best things you can do for your business is to plan when it comes to taxes. This means staying on top of tax law changes, tax relief options, and tax deductions so that you can take advantage of all available tax breaks. With good tax planning, you can avoid having to deal with these types of problems in the first place.

Hiring Tax Professionals

Tax professionals are an alternative to hiring tax relief companies. While tax relief companies can be valuable resources, their fees may be beyond the budget of smaller companies. Tax professionals will have much expertise in tax law that will help a business. It is an option to weigh up but see what a tax relief company can offer first as that could prove to be the most cost-effective approach overall.

Keep Accurate Financial Records

Keep good records of your tax filings. This will come in handy if you end up needing tax relief services, as tax professionals will need to know exactly what deductions you've taken to produce an accurate tax filing and relief plan.

Some tips here are to:

·         Keep track of all your income and expenses throughout the year. This will make tax time much easier.

·         Use good accounting software to help you keep track of your finances.

·         Save all your receipts and document your business expenses.

·         Have a system for tracking your payments and invoices.

·         Stay organized and don't let your tax paperwork pile up.

 

Tax season can be a stressful time for small business owners, but it doesn't have to be. There are many tax relief companies out there that can help you with your tax woes. By following these five tips, you can make tax season a breeze. You can feel confident working with tax relief companies to get your taxes filed and minimize tax liability.

Every business needs to focus on any matters concerning tax because there will be repercussions otherwise. It is peace of mind to have someone who is knowledgeable in this area to help us.

Which Bills Should I Pay First?

When you’re worried that your paycheck won’t cover your monthly expenses, figuring out which bills you need to pay first can be tough. While it may be tempting to charge your expenses to your credit card, adding any debt can make your financial situation worse. Use the following tips to decide which bills to pay first:

1. Food and Healthcare

You need to eat. Even if it's Ramen and canned green beans from the dollar store, feeding yourself is important. The same goes for medical expenses. That old saying, "If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything," is true. If you're forced to decide whether to seek treatment for high blood pressure or make a car payment, your health needs to come first.^[1]

2. Rent/Mortgage

Having somewhere to live is essential. It's the roof over your head. If you own your home, it can be one of your most valuable assets. Paying your rent or mortgage should be one of your top priorities. The loss of your home or eviction from your rental could be a devastating financial and emotional blow, so pay your rent or mortgage after you pay for food and healthcare.^[2]

3. Car Loan and Car Insurance

If you're one of the millions of Americans that drives to work, then you know how important your car is. Making your car payments and paying your monthly insurance bills means you get to keep your car and drive it responsibly. If you know that you absolutely cannot pay your car bills, then, if possible, try selling your car. Look into public transportation, like busses or subways, as alternative forms of transport. If any of your coworkers live nearby, suggest carpooling. It’s easier on the environment and your pocket book. ^[3]

4. Utilities

While you have some leeway with utility bills, it is important that you keep your lights on and your water running. Normally, utility companies will allow you to be a few days late for a small fee, but they will turn off their services if you continue to miss bill payments.^[2]  The impact of reducing these bills could really help your bank account savings in the long run.

5. Credit Card Bills

Your credit card is the last bill you should worry about when you're facing more pressing matters -- like paying your rent or keeping your water running. While you're repaying other bills, try not to use your credit card or incur other forms of debt.^[4] Only after you've taken care of your basic needs should you begin to repay your credit card debts. If you’re concerned about how to handle your debts, contact a nonprofit credit counseling service like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.^[5]

These suggestions can help you decide which bills you should pay first. It can be a tough call, depending on where your priorities lie. If you have a family and a home, your needs may be very different from an individual renting an apartment. Modify this list to suit your specific needs, and you’ll find a way to pay your most important bills first.

About the Author:

Check 'n Go, the fourth largest consumer financial service institution in the United States, offers online payday loans, check cashing, and cash advance loans as part of their commitment to ethical and responsible lending. Check 'n Go has consistently set high standards for their payday loan and installment loan services to ensure that their customers continue to have options available for whatever financial circumstances come their way.

References

1. Kirchheimer, Sid. "In Hard Times, What Bills Should I Pay First?" AARP. 12 08 2011: n. page. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. .

2. Lazarony, Lucy. " Paying your bills: Which to pay first." Bankrate.com. n.d. n. page. Web. 27 Sep. 2011. .

3. Vohwinkle, Jeremy. "Reader Question: I Can’t Pay My Bills! What Bills Should I Pay First?" Generation X Finance. n.d. n. page. Print. .

4. Collins, Frank. "What Debts and Bills Should You Pay First If You Run out of Money?" Invest It Wisely. n.d. n. page. Web. 22 Feb. 2012..

5. Zahorsky, Rachel. "Which bills to pay first: six tips when you can't pay them all." 30 03 2007: n. page. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. .

Hey Canada! We've Got Some Great Games From to Kick Off Your May Long Weekend!

With BBQ season quickly approaching, we’ve got some fabulous game suggestions to kick-off the Victoria Day long weekend and to continue into the indoor AND outdoor festivities this summer!

Canada’s May long weekend is known as the unofficial kick-off to summer, with celebrations centered around our favorite summer activities such as backyard BBQs and sippin’ lemonade. Add backyard board games to the mix and let the summer kick-off festivities begin! Leading board game distributor Asmodee Canada has some great backyard board games, bringing some of the classic Asmodee titles to your outdoor festivities this Victoria Day long weekend.

Citadels (MSRP $34.99 - Ages 10+): The kingdom is in need of a new Master Builder, and you want the job. Recruit local citizens and use their expertise to outwit your rivals. Only the most majestic metropolis will earn its creator the coveted title. This revised edition of Citadels retains the signature bluffing and intrigue of this celebrated classic, condensing all into a travel-friendly box. A game of intrigue awaits! 

Just One (MSRP $32.99 - Ages 8+): Just One is a cooperative party game in which you play together to discover as many mystery words as possible. Find the best clue to help your teammate. Be unique, as all identical clues will be cancelled!

Draw the Line (MSRP $34.99 - Ages 10+): Draw the line is a party game where all teams play simultaneously. The sketchers must draw a mystery word by connecting icons on their sketchpad. They then need to mime those icons and make noises related to them so that their respective teammate can guess which icons they need to connect on their sketchpad to recreate their sketcher’s drawing. Players must act fast if they want their team to be the first one to find the mystery word.

Wavelength (MSRP $49.99 - Ages 14+): Wavelength is a social guessing game in which two teams compete to read each other's minds. Teams take turns rotating a dial to where they think a hidden bullseye is located on a spectrum. One of the players on your team — the Psychic — knows exactly where the bullseye is, and draws a card with a pair of binaries on it (such as: Job - Career, Rough - Smooth, Fantasy - Sci-Fi, Sad Song - Happy Song, etc). The Psychic must then provide a clue that is *conceptually* where the bullseye is located between those two binaries.

Mysterium Park (MSRP $39.99 - Ages 10+): Mysterium Park has many secrets to hide…Grave secrets! The park’s director has disappeared. Since then, strange events have occurred. You and your team of psychics decide to reveal the truth. Once on the fairgrounds, the ghost of the director communicates with you. With his help, will you be able to find the killer and scene of the crime?

Our 2022 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day will be here soon, and it's the time to show your mom or mother-figure just how much they mean to you. Although nothing can make up for all the worries, sleepless nights and the vast amounts of love and understanding that moms give us, we can at least try, right? This Mothers Day give your mom a "gift that is straight from the heart" and show her how much you appreciate everything she does for you! 

We have some great gift ideas too to share with you-

Ravensburger's Eames Puzzles-

For moms on the go, nothing says “I love you” more than giving her a chance to slow down, spend some quality time with family and friends, or even offering her some quiet, alone time. So many parents are juggling kids, work demands, social expectations and an always-on laptop/phone/screen. Unplugging has never been more appealing and what better way to unwind than with a glass of wine and a puzzle!  Ravensburger puzzles range in designs and difficulty with themes any mom will love! Ravensburger offers a variety of travel, animal, and art-themed puzzles. Mom is going to love her new puzzle!

Baskin-Robbins Canada-

This year is sweeter than ever with spring launches at Baskin-Robbins Canada including the Mother’s Day Tall Stack Cake, giving mom the sweetest breakfast in bed she can ever dream of. This cake, offers a pancake stack that pairs perfectly with the new Breakfast in Bed flavour but also with any available ice cream flavour for a personalized Mother’s Day treat.

Other offerings launching this month include May Flavour of the Month, Breakfast in Bed features a combination of creamy buttermilk pancake and maple syrup-flavoured ice cream with fluffy pancake pieces and is drizzled with a blueberry compote ribbon that tops off the breakfast experience. Ube Coconut Swirl (pronounced “oo-beh”) finds its inspiration from a vibrant purple yam, “ube”, originally from the Philippines. It features Ube-flavoured and coconut-flavoured ice cream, topped with Ube-flavoured swirls. Sweet and nutty, the flavour is deliciously complemented by rich, coconut-flavored ice cream, vanilla and shreds of coconut to provide a subtle bit of texture. Rounding out the new flavours is Non-Dairy Mint Chocochunk, featuring sweet mint and thick chocolate chunks, topped by a fudge swirl and a melt-in-your-mouth coconut milk base.

Neutrogena-

Neutrogena makeup products will make excellent gifts for Mother’s Day to brighten up any Mom’s day with makeup products you won’t want to miss out on. Neutrogena’s wide-range of cosmetics are designed for different skin concerns like acne, aging, dry skin, oily skin or sensitive skin. The non-comedogenic makeup won’t clog pores and is gentle enough for everyday use. Keep your skin feeling fresh and beautiful with our collection of hydration-infused products.

Luxury French Soaps Mother's Day Self Care Gift Set   

Price: $32

Averal Provence soaps are made with natural ingredients in the South of France.

Averal Provence is owned by Jennifer Revello.

Selfcare Gift Set  for Mom. A soothing combination between moisture and relaxation. All their soaps are made with organic ingredients, Olive Oil, Shea Butter & Glycerin. Wrapped in a beautiful box made with recycled materials. 

Lavender Fig an exotic blend between the delicate touch of lavender and a hint of bright citruses. Will make her skin soft and smooth while benefiting from the aromatherapy properties of Lavender and Fig.

Monoi is an infused perfume-oil made from soaking the petals of Tahitians Gardenias (best known as Tiare Flower) in coconut oil.

Aloe Vera is one of the most prestigious herbs used for skincare.

A natural moisturizer Soap made with 72% Organic Olive Oil and 25 % Shea Butter & Glycerin as its main ingredients and Aloe Vera essential oil from Grasse, South of France.

Jojoba enriched with shea butter, a 100% vegetable base that can nourish, moisturize, soften and protect the skin with its exceptionally rich composition of vitamins A, D, E, F. Shea butter has regenerative and restorative properties and helps fight against skin dryness. It cleans, soothes, nourishes, moisturizes, and is reaffirmed. This fragrant soap is suitable for all skin types. 

** Watch this spot for more great gift ideas coming soon!